The Music Cypher

Miley's endless summer vacation is over and she has returned with something beautiful for us (see what I did there?) The beautiful offering in question is in the form of her ninth studio album entitled "Something Beautiful." As the ever changing performer, no one can ever predict what a Miley album will entail as she has shifted from trap/hip-hop influences with Bangerz to country pop with Younger Now, then to pop rock with Plastic Hearts and Top 40 pop with Endless Summer Vacation. Miley is one of my favourite musical chameleons as she can adapt her voice, image and music to suit any genre she wants to and it still feels authentic except for that one infamous era we will not talk about. That's why whenever I hear there's a new music project by her I will always be present and ready to see what sonical lane she is driving in at the time. Let's see what she has in store for us this time! Here's my review of each track on the album! 1. Prelude 🌟🌟🌟 2. Some...

Here are the top 10 songs I listened to the most for the week starting on the 20th July to the 26th July, 2025. 1. Still Bad by Lizzo 2. Juice by Lizzo 3. Is It by Tyla 4. Ring My Bell by Anita Ward 5. Don't Go by Josh Levi 6. High School by Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Wayne 7. The Best by Tina Turner 8. What a Feeling (Flashdance) by Irene Cara 9. 3 by Britney Spears 10. Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen What have you been listening to this week?  Let me know in the comments!

Recently I was itching to watch a great live concert but I didn't want to pull up the usual suspects like Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Usher, Janet Jackson, Pink etc. from my archives. Then, I remembered that Apple Music has a live concert series and that's where I found the subject of this week's career rewind, Ms. Jenny from the block herself, Jennifer Lopez. Her Apple Music Live concert reminded me that she is a great a live performer from the multiple outfit changes, the staging, lighting and her best asset which is her ability to dance. However, the one word that stayed in the forefront of my mind about J Lo while watching the concert was tenacity. Tenacity is simply defined as the quality of being very determined and not giving up easily and that's how I would sum up the totality of her career. The one thing you can bet you last dollar on is Ms. Lopez giving her 1000% in everything she does. Her varied career in entertainment has had many highs and lows but she never...

"I don't need him, I need a drink, I don't know why life been so fucked up lately, But after everything, I'm still surviving, and I'm still bad, baby, So bitch, I can't complain, I'm still bad, babe" Lyrics taken from  https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/lizzo/stillbad.html Like the lyrics of her hit song says Lizzo is still out here surviving and thriving. Yet, most importantly she is still bad and to remind all of us how bad she's been at the music game racking up chart topping hits and multiple Grammys, she has released a mixtape entitled "My Face Hurts from Smiling". Let's see what she has in store for us! Here's my review of each track on the mixtape! 1. CRASHOUT  🌟🌟🌟 2. YITTY ON YO TITTIES (FREESTYLE)  🌟🌟🌟 3. JUST 4 FUN  🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 / ❤️‍🔥 4. GOTCHO BITCH  🌟🌟🌟 5. STILL CANT FUH featuring Doja Cat  🌟🌟🌟🌟 6. NEW MISTAKES  🌟🌟🌟🌟 7. BEND IT OVA  🌟🌟🌟 8. LEFTRIGHT  🌟🌟🌟 9. DROPPIN ON IT  🌟🌟🌟 10. SUMMA SHIT  🌟🌟...

Here are the top 10 songs I listened to the most for the week starting on the 13th July to the 19th July, 2025. 1. Is It by Tyla 2. If Your Girl Only Knew by Aaliyah 3. The Edge Of Glory by Lady Gaga 4. What You Waiting For? by Gwen Stefani 5. Work Out by J Cole 6. Tears In The Club by FKA twigs featuring The Weeknd 7. Rockstar 101 by Rihanna featuring Slash 8. Slow Dance by Kelly Clarkson 9. Brave by Sara Bareilles 10. Instructions by Mahalia What have you been listening to this week?  Let me know in the comments!

The recent release of a certain artist album with the same first name made me reminisce about the good old days when male pop stars reign right alongside their female counterpoints. It seems like the male pop star is no longer existent in this current music climate. The absence of the male pop star can be attributed to the veterans being busy chasing their former glory which leads them not to mature with their audience and release great work plus the few male artist that have broken through have not captured my interest. Where are the Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder etc. vocals? Where are the mesmerizing Michael Jackson, Usher etc. 8 counts? Where are the captivating stage productions that leave the audience in pure awe? These questions and my trip down memory lane quickly reminded of such an artist who embodied all of the missing elements I've been looking for in this new batch of artist, that is the man himself Justin Timberlake. While his career lately has been on a steady declin...

"Gon' and do lil mama like you want to, Ooh, I can't resist the way you want me, Damn, baby you play me like a banjo, Let me return the favor, do it hands free" Everyone knows that Keke Palmer is a muti-faceted entertainer who does it all and always keeps a job. One of those jobs is being a really good singer and musical artist which has often been overshadowed by her acting career. That is quite shameful as she has several bops that I enjoy like the aforementioned "Hands Free" which I listen to on a regular basis. However, while I have listened to many of her songs I have never listened to a full album by her. So in the spirit of maintaining my goal of listening to much more music this year, I decided to listen to her most recent project entitled "Just Keke". Let's see what she has in store for us! Here's my review of each track on the album! 1. ACT 1 🌟🌟🌟🌟 2. Off Script 🌟🌟🌟🌟 3. What Would Sharon Say? 🌟🌟🌟 4. 125 Degrees 🌟...

Here are the top 10 songs I listened to the most for the week starting on the 6th July to the 12th July, 2025. 1. Don't Go by Josh Levi 2. Midnight Sun by Zara Larsson 3. Mutt by Leon Thomas 4. Going Blonde by Tanner Adell 5. Is It by Tyla 6. For the Lovers by Whitney Houston 7. Radioactive by Rita Ora 8. Happy Without Me by Chloe x Halle featuring Joey Bada$$ 9. Luck by Kayla Brianna featuring Dreezy 10. Boom Wuk by Albeezy featuring Ce'Cile What have you been listening to this week? Let me know in the comments!

Upon seeing clips on Twitter (that is what her mama named her so that's what I am calling her) of Toni Braxton smashing it during her Love & Laughter residency in Las Vegas, I decided to revisit her discography. This walk down memory lane quickly and resoundingly reminded me of why she is indeed a living legend. From her iconic run in the 90s filled with a plethora of R&B classics which showcase her smooth, sensual, husky, deep, silky voice as well the professional and personal adversities she has faced, Toni has come out on top time after time. So, I have decided to share my top 12 favourite tracks from her iconic discography throughout her distinguished career. The tunes that were chosen represent singles which are songs that were released to multiple formats to promote her various albums. The songs are listed in chronological order based on the release date of her albums and is not ranked in terms of personal favourability. Here is the list of my top 12 favourite singles...

Here are the top 10 songs I listened to the most for the week starting on the 29th June to the 5th July, 2025. 1. Cuff It by by Beyoncé 2. Energy by Beyoncé featuring Beam 3. Break My Soul by Beyoncé 4. Midnight Sun by Zara Larsson 5. Heated by Beyoncé 6. Don't Go by Josh Levi 7. I Need A Boss by Shareefa featuring Ludacris 8. What Dreams Are Made Of by Hilary Duff 9. Bam Bam by Camila Cabello featuring Ed Sheeran 10. Imma Be by The Black Eyed Peas What have you been listening to this week? Let me know in the comments!

KWN needs us on our worst behaviour and I am more than willing to comply! Kwn pronounced "kay-one" caught my attention as I was searching YouTube for new music and her collab with R&B sensation Kehlani sparked my curiosity. Instantly, I was pleased with the sensually seductive musings of the collab because it reminded me of the type of R&B tunes that drew me to the genre initially (we are tired of hearing about how women are hoes and men ain't shit). After overplaying "worst behaviour", I realized that she released an album and was more than happy to give it a listen. So let's see what one of the few lover and yearner in today's R&B landscape has in store for us with this record. Here's my review of each track on the album! 1. bite me INTRO 🌟🌟🌟 2. stand on it 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 / 🔥 3. worst behaviour featuring Kehlani 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 / ❤️‍🔥 4. back of the club 🌟🌟🌟 5. fxckin (interlude) 🌟🌟🌟🌟 6. talk you through it featuring FLO 🌟🌟...

I recently revisited the one and only undisputed Queen of Pop, Madonna's discography. So, I decided to share my top 12 favourite tracks from her iconic discography throughout her illustrious career. The tunes that were chosen represent singles which are songs that were released to multiple formats to promote her various albums. The songs are listed in chronological order based on the release date of her albums and is not ranked in terms of personal favorability. Here is the list of my top 12 favourite singles from Madonna: 1. Material Girl from Like A Virgin (1984) 2. Papa Don't Preach from True Blue (1986) 3. La Isla Bonita from True Blue (1986) 4. Like A Prayer from Like A Prayer (1989) 5. Human Nature from Bedtime Stories (1994) 6. Take A Bow from Bedtime Stories (1994) 7. Frozen from Ray of Light (1998) 8. Hung Up from Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005) 9. Give It 2 Me from Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005) 10. 4 Minutes from Hard Candy (2008) 11. ...

I was very late to this party! Jordan Adetunji made a name for himself with his hit song "Kehlani" which was inspired by the R&B badass herself. However, it was only this year I heard the song and decided to check him out. Then, I discovered that he released a mixtape entitled "A Jaguar's Dream" this year which is the subject of this review. Here's my review of each track on the mixtape! 1. KEHLANI 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 / ❤️‍🔥 2. Too Many Women featuring kwn 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 / 🔥 3. Break The System 🌟🌟🌟 4. 305 by Jordan Adetunji & Bryson Tiller 🌟🌟🌟 5. Bitter 🌟🌟🌟 6. Dirty Diana 🌟🌟🌟 7. Bedroom 🌟🌟🌟 8. Attractive 🌟🌟🌟 9. Options featuring Lil Baby 🌟🌟🌟 10. KEHLANI (REMIX) featuring Kehlani 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 / 🔥 Mixtape Rating: 7️⃣ / 🔟 What are your overall thoughts on the mixtape? What are your favourite songs from the mixtape? Let me know in the comments section! Listen to the mixtape here:

Here are the top 10 songs I listened to the most for the week starting on the 22nd June May to the 28th June, 2025. 1. The Vibe by Ayo Jay 2. This Is Me by Keala Settle 3. Your Number by Ayo Jay 4. Killin' It Girl by j-hope featuring GloRilla 5. Just Keep Watching by Tate McRae 6. Suzanne by Mark Ronson featuring Raye 7. Folded by Kehlani 8. all of that by Bayli 9. Brick By Brick by Say Now 10. Type Dangerous by Mariah Carey What have you been listening to this week? Let me know in the comments!

While being often disrespected with comparisons to boys who couldn’t fill his shoes on their best day and his contribution to the musical landscape being severely and constantly undervalued, Usher still remains a titan whose marvelous twenty-nine year career is and should be a model for every male artist that comes after him especially if they are an R&B act. Don’t believe me just watch any clip you can find from his current Vegas residency shows and behold the magic that is Usher. So, I have decided to share my top 12 favourite tracks from his iconic discography throughout his distinguished career. The tunes that were chosen represent singles which are songs that were released to multiple formats to promote his various albums. The songs are listed in chronological order based on the release date of his albums and is not ranked in terms of personal favourability. Here is the list of my top 12 favourite singles from Usher: 1. You Make Me Wanna.. from My Way (1997) 2. My Way from...

Here are the top 10 songs I listened to the most for the week starting on the 15th June May to the 21st June, 2025. 1. Killin' It Girl by by j-hope featuring GloRilla 2. Just Keep Watching by Tate McRae 3. Killin' It Girl by by j-hope (Solo Version) 4. Nobody Exists by Coco Jones 5. Suzanne by Mark Ronson featuring Raye 6. all of that by Bayli 7. Folded by Kehlani 8. Brick By Brick by Say Now 9. Say That by Keri Hilson 10. Rose's Turn (Live @ 2025 TONYs) by Audra McDonald What have you been listening to this week? Let me know in the comments!

Well look what a innovative video and a group breakup will do for you! Partyof2 (stylized as PARTYOF2) an American hip hop duo from Los Angeles, consisting of Swim and Jadagrace. Originally founded in 2019 as Grouptherapy (stylized as grouptherapy.) by Swim, Jadagrace, TJOnline, and Rhea, the group rebranded following the departures of Rhea and TJOnline in 2020 and 2024, respectively. Extract taken from  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PartyOf2 I discovered the group through Twitter (again that's what it's mother called it and I ain't changing it) as a clever shot from the video for poser went viral on the platform so I decided to give their latest project a listen. Let's see what the group has in store for us!  Here's my review of each track on the EP! 1. Mad Love 🌟🌟🌟🌟 2. Poser 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 / ❤️‍🔥 3. All 4 The Best 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 / 🔥 EP Rating: 9️⃣ / 🔟 What are your overall thoughts on the EP? What are your favourite songs on the EP? Let me know in the comment...

Alex Isley is not a new artist as she has been around the R&B scene for years now. However, she is a newer artist to me so I decided to give her recently released EP entitle "When" a listen. Let's see what she has in store for us! Here's my review of each track on the EP! 1. Holding On 🌟🌟🌟 2. Ms. Goody Two Shoes 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 / 🔥 3. Mic On 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 / ❤️‍🔥 4. Hands 🌟🌟🌟🌟 5. Fool's Gold 🌟🌟🌟 6. Thank You for a Lovely Time 🌟🌟🌟 EP Rating: 7️⃣ ▪️ 5️⃣ / 🔟 What are your overall thoughts on the EP? What are your favourite songs on the EP? Let me know in the comments section! Listen to the EP here:

Here are the top 10 songs I listened to the most for the week starting on the 8th June May to the 14th June, 2025. 1. HE KNOWS by Camila Cabello featuring Lil Nas X 2. Just Keep Watching by Tate McRae 3. Say That by Keri Hilson 4. I LUV IT by Camila Cabello featuring Playboi Carti 5. Sweet Thang (The Session R&B Jam Live) by Desz 6. Hey, Soul Sister by Train 7. Brick By Brick by Say Now 8. Suzanne by Mark Ronson featuring Raye 9. Killin' It Girl by j-hope featuring GloRilla 10. all of that by Bayli What have you been listening to this week? Let me know in the comments!